Beth Harris

Tommy John, the four-time All-Star pitcher whose 1974 elbow ligament operation became known as Tommy John surgery, has died at 83 at his home in Bradenton, Florida, while under hospice care. John won 288 games across a 26-year Major League Baseball career and returned to pitch for 14 more seasons after Dr. Frank Jobe replaced his damaged ligament with a forearm tendon. His recovery helped revolutionize treatment for pitching injuries and extend the careers of generations of baseball players.

Australia’s Lani Pallister defeated Katie Ledecky in the 800m freestyle at the Pan Pacific Championships, ending Ledecky’s unbeaten international record in the event since 2010. Pallister won in 8:06.10, breaking Ledecky’s championship record, while Ledecky took silver in a season-best 8:07.26. The meet also featured Kate Douglass setting a 50m freestyle world record before helping the U.S. win the 4x100m medley relay, Yu Yiting winning the 200m individual medley ahead of Summer McIntosh, and McIntosh reflecting on a disappointing overall performance.

Director and former actor Mark Rydell died at 97 of natural causes at a Los Angeles retirement community. Best known for directing the Oscar-nominated On Golden Pond, he also directed The Fox, The Reivers, The Rose and other films featuring major stars including Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn, Steve McQueen, John Wayne and Bette Midler. Rydell received multiple Oscar nominations, formed Sanford Productions with Sydney Pollack, directed television films and series, and later taught acting and filmmaking at UCLA and The Actors Studio West. He is survived by his children Amy, Christopher and Alexander Rydell.

Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, has received a Daytime Emmy nomination for Netflix’s lifestyle program “With Love, Meghan,” which includes cooking, entertaining and gardening segments and celebrity appearances. The show is competing in the outstanding lifestyle program category at the awards ceremony scheduled for October 30 at the Hollywood Palladium. The article also lists major nominees across daytime drama and talk categories, notes that CBS leads with 48 nominations, and reports that Kelly Clarkson is ending her talk-show run while Sherri Shepherd’s program has been canceled.

Tom Dreesen, the pioneering comedian who formed one of America’s first interracial stand-up duos with Tim Reid and later served as Frank Sinatra’s opening act for 14 years, died at 86 at his Los Angeles home. His career included hundreds of television appearances, acting roles in television and film, tours with major entertainers, books and a memoir. Dreesen was also active in charitable, motivational and veterans’ work, including as an ambassador for the Gary Sinise Foundation. He is survived by two daughters and seven grandchildren.

Billie Jean King, 82, received a bachelor’s degree in history from California State University, Los Angeles, 65 years after she first enrolled there. She left college in 1961 to pursue a tennis career, later winning 39 major championships and becoming a leading advocate for women’s equality, expanded prize money and professional opportunities. In her graduation speech, King highlighted the lack of financial support for female student-athletes in her era and encouraged people of all ages to continue learning and pursue their goals.

Los Angeles is preparing SoFi Stadium, renamed Los Angeles Stadium for the 2026 World Cup, despite the field still being dirt 30 days before the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on 12 June. Fresh sod shipped from Washington state will be installed over two days after the venue was modified to meet FIFA specifications, including wider field dimensions and a new irrigation system. Transportation, food service, hospitality packages and fan activities are already organized, with Metro offering dedicated buses and special-edition FIFA-themed TAP cards. The tournament is expected to deliver a substantial financial boost to the city.

Major League Baseball will commemorate the 79th anniversary of Jackie Robinson's historic 1947 debut by having every player, coach and umpire wear No. 42. The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets will hold a joint ceremony at Robinson's Dodger Stadium statue, with two of his granddaughters and Jackie Robinson Foundation scholarship recipients attending. Robinson's career achievements included Rookie of the Year honors, six All-Star selections, the 1949 National League MVP award and a 1955 World Series title. MLB also reports that the share of Black players on opening-day rosters and related lists rose to 6.8%, up from 6.2% in 2025 and 6.0% in 2024.

Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd reunited at PaleyFest LA to mark the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s Angels, the ABC crime-adventure series that premiered in 1976 and became a top-10 hit. Although criticized as “jiggle television,” the show was also viewed as groundbreaking for portraying three women pursuing dangerous cases, with Jackson saying it helped challenge barriers for women. The actresses discussed their lasting friendship, shared experiences with breast cancer and the importance of regular health screenings. They are scheduled to reunite again at a Paley Honors gala in New York on 14 May, while Smith’s memoir, I Once Knew a Guy Named Charlie, is due in September.

Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd received a standing ovation at PaleyFest LA during a reunion marking the 50th anniversary of Charlie’s Angels. The actresses reflected on the show’s popularity, its role in challenging gender stereotypes and criticism of its sexualized presentation. They also discussed Farrah Fawcett’s legacy, their careers after the series and their shared experiences with breast cancer, urging regular health screenings. The trio will reunite again at a Paley Honors gala in New York, while Smith’s memoir is scheduled for release in September.

Patti Close, the 80-year-old mother of UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close, has become a beloved fixture around the Bruins, attending games, supporting players, helping with recruiting dinners, and contributing to the program’s family atmosphere. Her presence also gives her purpose following the death of her husband, while providing Cori with emotional support and a sense of security. The Bruins enter March Madness as the No. 2 overall seed at 31-1, opening against Cal Baptist after reaching last year’s Final Four.

Rome Flynn won NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP for the second consecutive year after scoring 17 points in Team Giannis's 65-58 victory over Team Anthony. Tacko Fall led the losing side with 20 points, while Los Angeles Chargers receiver Keenan Allen scored 18. The game returned basketball to the Forum in Inglewood, featured a halftime performance by K-pop group CORTIS, and launched NBA All-Star weekend. Giannis Antetokounmpo coached but will miss Sunday's All-Star Game because of a calf strain.

The LA28 executive committee decided that Casey Wasserman should remain chairman of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics organizing committee after reviewing documents showing that he exchanged flirtatious emails with Ghislaine Maxwell in 2003. LA28 said an outside legal firm reviewed Wasserman’s past interactions with Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell, with Wasserman’s cooperation, and found no conduct beyond what had already been publicly documented. Wasserman has not been accused of wrongdoing connected to Epstein.

Chuck Negron, the distinctive lead singer and founding member of Three Dog Night, has died at 83 at his home in Los Angeles from complications related to heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He helped define the band’s major hits, including “Joy to the World,” “One” and “Easy To Be Hard,” before addiction contributed to his dismissal from the group in 1985. Negron achieved sobriety in 1991, pursued a solo career, published a memoir and continued touring until the COVID-19 pandemic. He is survived by his wife and five children, and had recently reconciled with fellow founding member Danny Hutton.

More than 300 Olympic and Paralympic athletes, including Nadia Comaneci and Apolo Ohno, gathered at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to mark the countdown to the 2028 Summer Games. The event promoted the opening of LA28 ticket registration, with individual tickets and hospitality packages expected to become available later in the year. Janet Evans, the organizing committee’s chief athlete officer, emphasized the role of athletes in planning the Games.

More than 300 Olympic and Paralympic athletes gathered at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to promote the launch of ticket registration for the 2028 Games. LA28 Chief Athlete Officer Janet Evans emphasized an athlete-centered approach, while Cullen Jones and Bart Conner said athletes were being incorporated into planning and leadership. Registration opens at Tickets.LA28.org, with randomly assigned purchasing time slots for future ticket releases beginning in April; hospitality, travel and accommodation packages are expected later in the year.

Shohei Ohtani was named the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for a record-tying fourth time after leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a second consecutive World Series title. He received 29 of 47 votes, ahead of pole vaulter Armand Duplantis and tennis player Carlos Alcaraz. Ohtani combined elite hitting with a successful return to pitching, including a standout postseason performance against the Milwaukee Brewers, while his achievements helped expand baseball's global audience. At 31, he plans to remain a two-way player, participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic and pursue a third straight championship.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are targeting a third consecutive World Series title in 2026, a feat last achieved by the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000. After winning three championships in six years, the Dodgers retain their core and are increasingly being described as a dynasty. Shohei Ohtani is expected to return to the mound without restrictions following elbow rehabilitation, while the club will assess seven free agents, particularly Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas. Several other free agents underperformed or were limited by injuries, and Clayton Kershaw has retired but may remain with the organization in another role.

Shohei Ohtani struggled both on the mound and at the plate as the Los Angeles Dodgers lost 6-2 to the Toronto Blue Jays, tying the World Series at two games apiece. Ohtani allowed four runs and six hits over six innings, while going hitless with two strikeouts and a walk. His performance came roughly 17 hours after he had reached base nine times, including two homers and two doubles, in an 18-inning Game 3 victory. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run homer off Ohtani, and Toronto added four runs in the seventh inning.

Shohei Ohtani's landmark career achievements include hitting a ball through the Tokyo Dome roof, pitching and hitting at elite levels in the same game, striking out Mike Trout to win the 2023 World Baseball Classic for Japan, recording a shutout and two home runs in one doubleheader, and becoming MLB's first 50-home-run, 50-stolen-base player. He won his first World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, despite an injury and modest performance during the Series, and later delivered a three-home-run, 10-strikeout performance to help the Dodgers reach the NL Championship Series.

Alley Mills won her second Daytime Emmy as guest performer in a daytime drama for her role as Heather Webber on ABC’s General Hospital. The ceremony also honored General Hospital’s writing team and Susan Walters of The Young and the Restless, which led all programs with 19 nominations. Mills, who previously won in 2023, used her acceptance speech to encourage people to maintain their spirits amid difficult times.

The defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Cincinnati Reds 8–4 in the second game of the NL Wild Card Series to advance to a Division Series matchup with the Philadelphia Phillies. The Dodgers are seeking to become the first team since the New York Yankees 25 years ago to win consecutive championships. Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to make his postseason pitching debut, while the team’s powerful offense, including improved form from Mookie Betts, has helped offset concerns about the bullpen.

The Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Cincinnati Reds 8-4 to advance to the National League Division Series, where they will face the Philadelphia Phillies in Philadelphia. The defending World Series champions have received strong starting pitching and improved offensive production, led by Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Mookie Betts, but their bullpen remains a concern after allowing late runs and issuing multiple walks. Ohtani is scheduled to make his postseason pitching debut, while Roki Sasaki closed out the Wild Card Series with a perfect ninth inning. Manager Dave Roberts believes the Dodgers have the talent and experience to become the first team since the 2000 New York Yankees to win consecutive championships.

Clayton Kershaw is set to pitch the final regular-season game of his 18-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers before retiring at the end of the season. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and two-time World Series champion will be honored by teammates, family and fans, while still managing a meaningful game: the Dodgers need six more wins to clinch a playoff spot, and the San Francisco Giants are competing with the New York Mets for a National League wild-card position. Despite declining velocity and recent injuries, Kershaw says his focus remains on winning and completing his role.

Three-time Cy Young Award winner and 11-time All-Star Clayton Kershaw will retire after the 2025 season, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. The 37-year-old left-hander, a 2014 National League MVP who has spent all 18 of his major league seasons with Los Angeles, will make his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium against the San Francisco Giants. Kershaw reached 3,000 career strikeouts in July.

BTS member V threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Los Angeles Dodgers game against Cincinnati, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto catching the left-handed pitch. V also met and briefly hugged Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani and spoke with Tyler Glasnow, prompting enthusiastic reactions from fans. BTS is preparing to release a full-group album next spring after its members’ mandatory military service in South Korea.

Max Scherzer and Clayton Kershaw, both three-time Cy Young Award winners and members of baseball’s 3,000-strikeout club, are set to face each other in a rare matchup at Dodger Stadium. The likely future Hall of Famers have each won World Series titles, while Scherzer, Kershaw and Justin Verlander are the only active pitchers to reach 3,000 strikeouts. Dodgers and Blue Jays players and coaches praised the pitchers’ work ethic, preparation and career achievements, though Scherzer emphasized that the game’s importance lies primarily in the division race and the Dodgers’ chance to defend their position as reigning champions.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert is testing red-tinted contact lenses during training camp because they reduce glare and help him avoid squinting in sunny conditions. The lenses surprised teammates and made Herbert’s blue eyes appear red; kicker Cameron Dicker said the pair even wore them to dinner and looked like vampires. Herbert said he may seek a medical prescription to wear the contacts during games if they improve his vision.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw recorded his 3,000th career strikeout by retiring Chicago White Sox player Vinny Capra with a slider. The 37-year-old became just the 20th pitcher in baseball history and the fourth left-hander to reach the milestone, receiving a standing ovation from a sellout crowd of 53,536. His achievement also provides stability for a Dodgers pitching staff affected by injuries.

Clayton Kershaw became the 20th pitcher in MLB history and only the fourth left-hander to reach 3,000 career strikeouts when he struck out Chicago White Sox batter Vinny Capra in the sixth inning. The 37-year-old Dodgers star received a standing ovation and a nearly six-minute tribute during the milestone celebration. Despite allowing four runs and trailing Chicago 4–2, Kershaw has recovered from offseason knee and foot surgeries to provide essential stability for an injury-depleted Dodgers pitching staff. His achievement caps an 18-year career with Los Angeles that includes three Cy Young Awards, a National League MVP, and multiple franchise records.

Shohei Ohtani is set to return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres, 643 days after elbow surgery. He is expected to pitch only one or two innings while continuing to serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter. Ohtani has been throwing simulated games rather than undertaking a minor-league rehabilitation assignment, and his return could bolster a pitching staff weakened by multiple injuries. He is batting .290 with an NL-leading 25 home runs, 41 RBIs and 11 stolen bases, and helped the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series—the first title of his $700 million, 10-year contract with the club.

Los Angeles 2028 Olympic organizers say they are confident that Donald Trump’s latest travel ban will not prevent athletes and other participants from entering the United States, citing federal recognition that the Games require special consideration. IOC representatives also expressed confidence after inspecting venues and reviewing preparations. Organizers are continuing contingency planning for wildfires, earthquakes and other emergencies, while LA28 chairman Casey Wasserman said the Games are on track to be profitable, with more than 60 percent of revenue already contracted despite ticket sales not yet beginning.

Christophe Clement, the Paris-born American horse trainer, died at 59 from metastatic uveal melanoma, an aggressive and incurable eye cancer. Over a 34-year U.S. career, he recorded 2,576 victories and more than $184 million in purse earnings, including Belmont Stakes wins with Tonalist and a 2021 Breeders’ Cup victory with Pizza Bianca. Racing officials praised his integrity, generosity and commitment to horse welfare. His son and longtime assistant, Miguel, will take over the stable.

Stable Recovery at Kentucky’s Taylor Made Farm helps men recovering from alcohol and drug addiction gain sobriety, work experience and stronger family relationships through horse care, structured routines, therapy and employment. Founded by Frank Taylor after his own recovery, the donation-funded program requires participants to have 30 days of sobriety and aims to keep them for a year, providing housing, food, transportation and wages. Although some participants leave, the program says 110 men have completed it, with graduates moving into jobs across the horse-racing industry. Several success stories, including trainer Will Walden and workers at WinStar and Taylor Made, illustrate the program’s long-term effects.

Wink Martindale, the longtime American radio personality and television game-show host, died aged 91 at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage after battling lymphoma for a year. Best known for hosting Gambit and Tic-Tac-Dough, he also led nearly two dozen game shows and oversaw contestant Thom McKee’s 88-game winning streak. Martindale began in radio, interviewed Elvis Presley early in the singer’s career and maintained an occasional connection with him, later moving into television, music recording and production. He is survived by his second wife, Sandy, and four children.

Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, commemorating Robinson’s April 15, 1947, debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, which ended decades of segregation in modern professional baseball. Robinson is remembered for his achievements, including Rookie of the Year, six All-Star selections, a National League MVP award and a World Series title, as well as his nonviolent response to racism and later civil-rights activism. All MLB players, coaches, managers and umpires wear his retired No. 42. Black players made up 6.2% of MLB rosters at the start of the 2025 season, a slight increase from 2024. The piece also notes the restoration of a Defense Department webpage about Robinson after content concerning minority service members was removed.

The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics will stage baseball at Dodger Stadium, surfing at Trestles Beach, and cricket at a temporary venue in Pomona. The updated plan places sports across Los Angeles and surrounding communities, including squash at Universal Studios, beach volleyball in Long Beach, triathlon and marathon events at Venice Beach, and boxing and gymnastics at downtown venues. The plan was approved by the International Olympic Committee's executive board, while an updated Paralympic venue plan is still pending.

Billie Jean King became the first woman honored with a star in the Hollywood Walk of Fame's new sports entertainment category, receiving the 2,807th star in a Los Angeles ceremony attended by Magic Johnson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ilana Kloss, Maria Sharapova and other friends and colleagues. Speakers praised King's tennis legacy, public advocacy and work for equality, while King said she hoped not to be the last woman recognized. The ceremony also reunited figures from the early WTA Tour and highlighted King's enduring cultural impact.

Betty White was honored at a first-day-of-issue ceremony at the Los Angeles Zoo for a new U.S. Postal Service stamp featuring her portrait. The event celebrated her career on The Golden Girls and her lifelong commitment to animals and the zoo, which she supported financially and through advocacy. Fans purchased commemorative stamps and related items, while speakers praised White's humor, decency and enduring legacy.

Top-seeded USC defeated ninth-seeded Mississippi State 96-59 to reach the women's NCAA Tournament Sweet 16, but lost star guard JuJu Watkins to a season-ending right knee injury after a non-contact play in the opening minutes. Kiki Iriafen led the Trojans with 36 points, while five USC players scored in double figures and its younger guards effectively managed the offense. USC will face Kansas State in Spokane while attempting to pursue its first national championship in 41 years without Watkins.

Mikey Madison won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance as an exotic dancer in Sean Baker’s Anora, defeating former front-runner Demi Moore and three other nominees. The win caps a rapid rise from television roles in Better Things to major film appearances, following Anora’s Palme d’Or victory at Cannes and strong box-office performance. Madison prepared for the role by studying Russian, performing her own stunts, and learning pole dancing.

Sean Baker won the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Anora at the 97th Academy Awards. He also directed, produced and edited the film, which stars Mikey Madison and had already won the Writers Guild of America award and the Palme d'Or at Cannes. Made for $6 million, Anora had earned more than $40 million, marking the biggest success of Baker's career.

The Grateful Dead were honored as MusiCares Persons of the Year at a Los Angeles gala opening Grammy weekend. Bob Weir and Mickey Hart accepted the award alongside the children of late band members Phil Lesh, Jerry Garcia and Bill Kreutzmann. The event celebrated the band's six-decade influence, eclectic improvisational style and devoted Deadhead community, with performances of numerous Grateful Dead songs by artists including John Mayer, Norah Jones, Bruce Hornsby, Wynonna Judd and Dwight Yoakam. The dinner and auction raised $9.3 million, with an additional $5.2 million pledged, including support for musicians affected by Los Angeles wildfires.

Los Angeles’ Olympic venues escaped damage from wildfires that killed more than 20 people, destroyed over 12,000 structures and displaced thousands. However, the recovery effort could divert government resources, complicate infrastructure projects, strain emergency services and worsen traffic as the city prepares to host the 2026 World Cup, 2027 Super Bowl and 2028 Olympics and Paralympics. City and Olympic officials say preparations remain on schedule, while experts warn that wildfire recovery may alter funding priorities and resource availability.

NBA games in Los Angeles are scheduled to resume Monday after wildfires postponed three Lakers and Clippers home games. The Clippers will host the Miami Heat, while the Lakers will play the San Antonio Spurs, with both teams emphasizing community support amid evacuations, destroyed homes and disrupted schools. The Lakers are collecting supplies for the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank, while players and staff are making personal donations and coping with losses. Additional home games are scheduled for Wednesday, though ESPN moved the Lakers-Heat broadcast out of its national television slot.

Shohei Ohtani was named The Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for the third time, matching Michael Jordan and moving within one award of the record held by Lance Armstrong, Tiger Woods and LeBron James. In his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Ohtani won the National League MVP, helped the team capture the World Series and became MLB’s first 50/50 player with 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases. Despite not pitching while recovering from elbow surgery, he set career offensive highs and delivered a historic six-for-six game against the Miami Marlins. Ohtani is recovering from shoulder surgery sustained in the World Series and hopes to resume both hitting and pitching when the Dodgers open the 2025 season in Japan. The article also covers his commercial impact, marriage to Mamiko Tanaka, the theft scandal involving former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara and the growing popularity of his dog, Decoy.

Michael B. Jordan signed a fan’s magazine image during a timeout at USC’s nationally televised women’s basketball game against Notre Dame in Los Angeles. Notre Dame won 74–61 to remain undefeated, while celebrities including Snoop Dogg and Jason Sudeikis and prominent women’s basketball figures attended. USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb highlighted the sellout crowd and the event’s growing star power.

Freddie Freeman hit the first game-ending grand slam in World Series history with two outs in the 10th inning, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-3 victory over the New York Yankees in the opener. Playing through a badly sprained ankle, Freeman launched an inside fastball from Nestor Cortes after the Yankees had taken a 3-2 lead when Anthony Volpe's fielder's choice scored Jazz Chisholm Jr., who had stolen second and third.

Shohei Ohtani drew intense media attention as the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees prepared for the World Series opener. After six losing seasons with the Angels, Ohtani said he was eager to make his first World Series appearance following a historic regular season and a $700 million move to Los Angeles. Teammates and Yankees figures praised his rare combination of power, hitting ability and work ethic, while Aaron Judge was highlighted as his chief counterpart among baseball's elite. Japanese interest in the series has surged, with Ohtani and rookie teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto attracting record audiences.

Los Angeles fans gathered outside Dodger Stadium to mourn Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born pitcher whose dominant performances in the early 1980s sparked “Fernandomania,” expanded the Dodgers’ Latino following and helped attract new audiences to Major League Baseball. Fans left candles, food, signs and flowers, while a mariachi group performed and artist Robert Vargas painted a mural. Valenzuela’s legacy is especially significant for Mexican Americans, including residents whose families were displaced through the city’s 1950s acquisition of the land where Dodger Stadium was built. The Dodgers and Major League Baseball planned a tribute before the World Series, as supporters remembered Valenzuela as both a baseball hero and a figure who helped heal longstanding community tensions.

Fernando Valenzuela, the Mexican-born Los Angeles Dodgers pitching star who sparked “Fernandomania,” has died at 63. He became the first player to win the National League Cy Young Award and Rookie of the Year in the same season in 1981, helping broaden the Dodgers’ and Major League Baseball’s appeal among Latino fans. A six-time All-Star, 1990 no-hitter author and 17-season MLB veteran, Valenzuela later worked as a Dodgers Spanish-language broadcaster. Although he was not elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Dodgers retired his No. 34 jersey in 2023 and honored him as one of the franchise’s greatest figures.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 10-5 in Game 6 of the NL Championship Series to win their 25th National League pennant and reach the World Series for the first time since 2020. Tommy Edman drove in four runs, Will Smith homered, and Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice. The Dodgers will face the New York Yankees in a historic World Series matchup beginning at Dodger Stadium, with Ohtani and Aaron Judge among the series' headline home-run hitters.

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 2-0 in a decisive NL Division Series Game 5 to reach the NLCS. Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed just two hits over five scoreless innings while Yu Darvish also pitched effectively, with home runs from Kiké Hernández and Teoscar Hernández providing the only runs. The Dodgers’ bullpen completed the shutout, while San Diego’s lineup went scoreless over the final 24 innings of the series. The victory sends Los Angeles into a best-of-seven NLCS against the New York Mets and marks the first postseason meeting between Japanese-born starting pitchers in Major League Baseball history.

Billie Jean King has been named grand marshal of the 136th Rose Parade in Pasadena, scheduled for Jan. 1. The tennis champion will lead the 5.5-mile parade route and participate in the Rose Bowl coin toss. The parade’s “Best Day Ever!” theme reflects King’s emphasis on living in the present. She is the first female athlete to serve as a solo grand marshal and joins a distinguished group of athletes who have held the role. The 39-time major champion is also recognized for advocating gender equality, LGBTQIA+ rights and broader social justice; recent honors include a bronze statue at Cal State Los Angeles and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Kathryn Crosby, the actor and widow of Bing Crosby, died of natural causes at 90 at her home in Hillsborough, California. She appeared in films including The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Anatomy of a Murder and Operation Mad Ball, working with stars such as Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and James Stewart. Born Olive Kathryn Grandstaff in Texas, she moved to Hollywood, married Bing Crosby in 1957 and largely curtailed her film career while raising their three children. She later became a registered nurse, hosted a Northern California television talk show, acted in stage productions and co-starred in a 1996 Broadway revival of State Fair.

USC basketball star JuJu Watkins won the Best Breakthrough Athlete award at the ESPYS after a standout freshman season in which she led the Trojans to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight. The ceremony at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre began 30 minutes late because of President Joe Biden's nationally televised news conference. Serena Williams hosted, and Ciara opened the show with a musical performance.

The Los Angeles 2028 Olympics will move athletics to the first week and swimming to the second week, with swimming at SoFi Stadium, basketball at Intuit Dome and gymnastics at Crypto.com Arena. LA28 estimates the venue changes will generate about $156 million in combined savings and revenue increases by reducing temporary construction and operational costs. Softball and canoe slalom will move to Oklahoma City, while other events will be distributed across venues in the Los Angeles region, Temecula and an as-yet-undetermined shooting facility. The updated plan still requires Los Angeles city approval for competitions moved outside the city.

Robert Gossett of General Hospital and Courtney Hope of The Young and the Restless won the supporting acting awards at the 51st Daytime Emmys. Gossett received the honor for the second consecutive year for playing Marshall Ashford, while Hope was recognized for her role as Sally Spectra, which she originated on The Bold and the Beautiful. The ceremony aired live on CBS from the Westin Bonaventure hotel in Los Angeles and returned to its usual calendar slot after the previous year's event was delayed by Hollywood strikes.

The 150th Kentucky Derby is expected to face a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms, which could favor six horses with previous wins on muddy or sloppy tracks, including early favorites Fierceness and Sierra Leone. Fierceness will start from the historically unsuccessful No. 17 post, while Sierra Leone is the field's most expensive colt at $2.3 million. The race also features contrasting ownership and training stories, including Larry Demeritte's inexpensive purchase of Saratoga West, Japan's two entries, D. Wayne Lukas's continued participation at age 88, and Frankie Dettori's return after a 24-year absence. The winner will take $3.1 million from a record $5 million purse.

The Kentucky Derby reaches its 150th anniversary after enduring wars, economic crises, pandemics and repeated controversies. The race remains a major sporting and cultural event, defined by its 20-horse field, three-year-old eligibility and Louisville traditions, but its history also includes the exclusion of Black jockeys and trainers and limited participation by women. Recent challenges include horse deaths at Churchill Downs, Medina Spirit’s disqualification, Bob Baffert’s continuing suspension and broader concerns about racing safety and integrity. Churchill Downs Inc. has invested $500 million in modernization, while the anniversary Derby offers a record $5 million purse.

At 74, Bahamian trainer Larry Demeritte is preparing for his first Kentucky Derby with West Saratoga, an $11,000 colt that has earned more than $460,000. Demeritte is only the second Black trainer since 1951 to saddle a Derby horse, a notable return to prominence for Black trainers after they won seven of the race’s first 17 editions. Owner Harry Veruchi purchased the horse and named it after the Colorado street where he grew up. West Saratoga faces the heavily favored, $2.3 million Sierra Leone, while jockey Jesus Castanon brings the group’s only prior Derby experience. Demeritte hopes the horse’s unlikely journey will inspire wider interest in racing and demonstrate that determination can lead to the sport’s biggest stage.

Bronny James announced that he will enter the NBA draft after one season at USC while retaining his college eligibility and entering the transfer portal. His freshman season was limited to 25 games and followed a cardiac arrest caused by a treatable congenital heart defect. James averaged 4.8 points and 2.8 rebounds, while his father, LeBron James, said the family would support his decision. The move came as USC prepared to introduce new coach Eric Musselman.

Shohei Ohtani plans to speak publicly for the first time about illegal gambling and theft allegations involving his former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, who was fired by the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Dave Roberts backed Ohtani’s decision, saying it should provide clarity. Ohtani was preparing to play as designated hitter in an exhibition game against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels.

Christopher Nolan won his first Oscar for directing Oppenheimer, defeating Jonathan Glazer, Yorgos Lanthimos, Martin Scorsese and Justine Triet. The win capped an awards-season run that included honors from the Directors Guild of America, BAFTA and the Golden Globes. Oppenheimer received 13 nominations and had earned nearly $1 billion worldwide, while Nolan also received nominations for adapted screenplay and best picture.